Principal reassigned after reality TV uproar

A Fort Bend principal who allowed one of her teachers to miss 22 school days to appear on ABC's The Bachelor will be reassigned to another campus. Tammie Carpenter, former Colony Bend Elementary School principal, was well-liked by children and parents, according to the PTO president, who was angered by the district's decision. The teacher in question, Amber Alchalabi, has not been disciplined.

Several parents complained when Alchalabi, who said she was gone due to a "personal issue," missed weeks of school at a time in February to appear on The Bachelor. They said it was disruptive for their elementary-school children to have their teacher gone while the young students were preparing for TAKS tests. Alchalabi says that she left the students in the capable hands of a substitute who had taught at the school previously and was familiar with the students and the school's procedures. We imagine she also had a last name that was easier for the kids to pronounce - what are they complaining about?

Principal Carpenter was aware that Alchalabi would be appearing on the reality show and gave her permission to do so. One parent criticized her appearance on the show, saying that it "does not promote family values, moral values or appreciation of the normal 'dating' process." Alchalabi says that she went on The Bachelor to find love, not to become a TV star.

Incidentally, Amber was given a rose on Monday night's episode, making her one of four remaining contestants vying for the affections of this season's eligible bachelor.